Executive Director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has expressed his displeasure with the manner in which the dismissal of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission and her two deputies was announced to the country.
Prof Henry Kwasi Prempeh believes the situation was one that called for President Akufo-Addo to address the nation “clearly on the matter” instead of allowing the Information Minister do that in a press statement.
According to Prof Prempeh, “There are some duties a President must not delegate. One of them is that rare occasion in the life of the Republic when the President is called upon to exercise his unavoidable, nondiscretionary constitutional duty to announce the revocation of the appointment of the chair and members of the independent Electoral Commission following the outcome of a constitutionally-prescribed impeachment process”.
“On an occasion such as that, it is, in my considered opinion, best for the President, wearing his Head of State hat, to address the nation directly and clearly on the matter, not through any of his Ministers or by means of a press statement. This is not a routine decision or policy of Government to be announced by a Minister. This is a momentous duty and function of the President as Head of State,” he adds.
Charlotte Osei, Amadu Sulley and Georgine Opoku Amankwa were relieved of their duties for “misbehaviour and incompetence”.
The dismissal which was based on recommendations of a committee set up by the Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo to investigate alleged acts of corruption, misconduct and misbehaviour of the three was announced through a press statement signed by the Information minister Thursday night.
The announcement of their dismissal was not appreciative by all with the main opposition party, the NDC threatening to protest.
The Information Ministry on Friday held a press conference to clarify issues that led to the dismissal of the three.
Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid who addressed the press stated that “There were six allegations [made] against the chairperson [Charlotte], four against Amadu Sulley and four against Georgina Opoku Amankwa.”
Source: Graphic.com
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This unwise decision might live to haunt Nana Addo very very soon. Because because I see it as not a politically wise decision to appoint 4 referees for a match your your self would participate in.
If he had done same people would have come saying it gives perception the NPP is behind Prof as for this I don’t agree
Where from all these false people always wanting to advise Akuffo Addo as to what to do in every step he takes?
If the appointment of the EC Boss is not done by the President addressing a nation it is totally unnecessary and a sheer waste of time for the President to address the nation just to announce the removal of the EC Chair. The President has acted according to the constitution which did not prescribe that he should address the nation in such a matter. Sometimes we stretch things too much and I think the point Prempeh proposing is making here is one of such instances of unnecessarily stretching thing just for the sake of being hear. If there is nothing to say just do not say anything. Period.
If the appointment of the EC Boss is not done by the President addressing a nation it is totally necessary and a sheer waste of time for the President to address the nation just to announce the removal of the EC Chair. The President has acted according to the constitution which did not prescribe that he should address the nation in such a matter. Sometimes we stretch things too much and I think the point Prempeh proposing is making here is one of such instances of unnecessarily stretching thing just for the sake of being hear. If there is nothing to say just do not say anything. Period.
I agree with the writer wholeheartedly. this is a big constitutional issue which the president should have announced himself. I hope it was a genuine mistake.
THANKS MR PROFF FOR YOUR ADVISE. IF THE PRESIDENT HAVE NOT VIOLATE WHAT THE CONSTITUTION SAYS THEN HE CAN GIVE THAT POWER TO HIS MINISTER TO ACT ON HIS BEHALF.THAT WAS EXACTLY WHAT HE DID.
I think the good Professor is right, there is so much thought in his piece. This is what I understand from constructive criticism. I wished the NDC would engage the good Professor in a lecture to educate them (NDC) about how to criticise as a party in opposition, in order, to be constructive and relevant to Governance, adamantly demonstrating, if you like, a better alternative and duly a potential Government in opposition. It seems to me that, NDC's Modus Operandi in terms of a party in opposition is using every means whether evil or diabolic to first obtain political power and you can thereupon, center ' create, loot, and share around every aspect of Governance and the political elites would be powerful to uphold the kleptocratic Administration.